Results 9,261-9,280 of 11,271 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2016)

Colm Burke: There was a recommendation-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2016)

Colm Burke: There was a recommendation-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2016)

Colm Burke: To return to the drugs issue, it is important that we have an honest debate on it. We are paying out €2.6 billion on drugs and pharmaceuticals per annum. In the period from 2000 to 2010, the cost of pharmaceuticals went from €570 million to over €2 billion. It was as though we were writing blank cheques. If we want to have a debate on this issue, let us have an...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (1 Dec 2016)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to deal with this matter. There is a major problem in Cork at present as the medical consultants and nursing staff on the front line have a difficulty providing gynaecological services. I understand there is quite a long waiting list of more than 4,000 people for either appointments or surgery. When all the maternity services in Cork...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (1 Dec 2016)

Colm Burke: I am disappointed in the reply. It is like what I get at the health committee. At the last meeting of the health committee, I raised four questions to which I got answers to only two. There seems to be a problem with the HSE in the south giving the truth. The truth is not contained in this answer. The answer to the problem is to open the operating theatre five days a week, not three and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (1 Dec 2016)

Colm Burke: A Leas-Chathaoirligh----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (1 Dec 2016)

Colm Burke: I really think we should open the theatre for five days.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2016: Discussion (30 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: I thank the witnesses for their comprehensive presentations. While there is evidence that this programme has worked in other countries, we need to convince people here that it will work. Mr. Kennedy referred to the latest evidence of implementing these centres, which supports this as the way forward in dealing with this particular aspect. I wonder about the presentation of that evidence...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2016: Discussion (30 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: I thank all the delegates for their comprehensive presentations. Following on from Deputy O'Brien's comments on head 10, if there is not provision for gardaí to enter a centre, do the Garda delegates see major disadvantages in that from their perspective? The witnesses referred to intimidation and people who may be afraid to report. If there is a change to head 10 such that there is...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: I am concerned when I hear Senator Gavan rising to speak, when on the one hand he is looking for services but on the other seeking an increase in salaries and wages across the board in the public sector. Senator Black raised a very serious issue. If wages and salaries are increased across the board services will suffer. We need to be realistic about our health services where there has been...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “That Seanad Éireann” and substitute: “, while recognising the complexities and challenges involved, calls on the Government to expedite its consideration of the recommendations in the Fifth Report of the Convention on the Constitution on giving the right to vote at Presidential elections to citizens resident outside...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: Fianna Fáil was in government for 14 years.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: We need to take some legal advice.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: I agree with Senator Kelleher in respect of the maternity service in Cork. I raised this issue two weeks ago at a meeting of the Committee on Health and looked for some work to be done to resolve the delay in the availability of gynaecological services. My understanding is that there are more than 4,000 women on the waiting list. I also understand that the people in the maternity service...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: That is what I said.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State. On the proposal on rent certainty, it is very unwise to tie anything to the rate of inflation. It is fine when the rate is as it is currently, showing very little increase. What if there is a sudden increase of 10% to 12%, which happened in this country previously? Do we then rush in to amend legislation the following day?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: I did not interrupt the Senator so he should have the courtesy not to interrupt me. Do we rush in to amend legislation to take out this proposed clause? That is why I am totally against it. I agree, however, that we need rent certainty. This has to be planned over a period. Having been involved in the legal profession for over 25 years, I note that a person who is renting a commercial...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: That is not true.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: That is not true.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Colm Burke: One would have a worse housing crisis the following day.